Deauville's 2-year-old program starts in earnest on Sunday, when the G3 Prix de Cabourg offers initial clues as to the country's strength in that category. The Wertheimers' unbeaten Contortioniste (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) had the useful British yardstick Simmy's Copshop (GB) (Bahamian Bounty {GB}) back in second in a course-and-distance conditions success on July 7, but is sure to be tested by the June 10 Listed Prix la Fleche third Mister Picnic (Fr) (Penny's Picnic {Ire}). The form of that five-furlong Maisons-Laffitte contest was boosted by the subsequent G2 Prix Robert Papin winner Unfortunately (Ire) (Society Rock {Ire}) and he will be tough to beat. Another unexposed type is the Freddy Head-trained Shadwell filly Tantheem (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}), who was second to the luckless Robert Papin fourth High Dream Milena (Fr) (Dabirsim {Fr}) on debut over this trip at Chantilly on June 17 before winning a 6 1/2-furlong maiden on the Polytrack here on July 5.
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